106 Quotes by Hilary Hahn

I think that if people show up in jeans and chains, it’s great that all parts of culture are interested in music. People forget sometimes that it’s about the music, not how you act and dress.

I need to be able to play the music, and so I don’t like to have intimidation be part of it.

I just want to work with people, so I always try to find a way to collaborate in the best way for the music.

The encore is the short piece after the program has finished, where the performer brings out something that the audience doesn’t expect.

Composers don’t just sit in a room and write things that are in their heads, they actually listen to a lot of music, pop music, jazz, rock and roll, any combination of music that catches their ear.

I pick things up in different cities, so my wardrobe is kind of a souvenir chest.

Of course everyone has those moments of frustration now and then, when you say, 'I wish I could play well already - or just stop.' But it's too much trouble to stop just for a moment of frustration. It is when you keep going that you make the most progress.

I love performing. The sounds coming at me are dynamic, colorful and multi-layered. The energy from the musicians around me and from the audience is a swirl of excitement. Sometimes, I can feel the stage vibrating under my feet.

You don't need to be a performer in order to dive into the sensory experience of music. Simply get as close as you can to the source of the music.